Hoffenheim Look For New Striker
18 goal scorer Vedad Ibisevic Out Six Months With Torn ACL
Jan 16, 2009
Hoffenheim's chances of competing for the German Bundesliga crown were dampered by the news that top forward Vedad Ibisevic will miss about six weeks with a torn ACL. The promoted club now is scouring the market for a replacement striker before the window closes on January 31.
Magical First Half
Hoffenheim were the story of the first half of the German Bundesliga with an exhilirating offense which was led by the Bosnian attacker Ibisevic, who tallied a league best 18 goals in 17 games in helping the promoted club to the top of the league at the end of the first half.
Bomber's Record In Question
Some believed that Ibisevic's season was so magical that the 24-year-old could even challenge the Bundesliga single-season scoring record of Gerd Müller's 40 goals in 1971-72.
Shock For Hoffenheim
But all that talk ended on January 14 when Ibisevic was clenching his right knee in a Hoffenheim test game against Hamburg during their winter training camp in Spain. Ibisevic flew back to Germany and had done an MRI, which determined a torn ACL, meaning the striker will miss about six months of action - the entire second half of the Bundesliga.
Team Expresses Sadness
There was plenty of sadness and shock from the Hoffenheim players and management. "We are all hit pretty hard. This is a pretty big setback for us. But maybe it will bring us even closer together," midfielder Tobias Weis, Ibisevic's best friend, told kicker.de on January 15.
"This is a major weakening. A vital component of our team has been chipped away. Now we have concentrate our focus on the major hole that Vedad has left," Hoffenheim manager Jan Schindelmeiser said on kicker.de.
"It is really damn sad for the guy. He was in great spirits in training camp and had picked up right where he left off last year," coach Ralf Rangnick said on Bild.de
Search Begins For New Striker
Hoffenheim now will go out and look for a replacement striker. The search is all the more important since forward Chinedu Obasi is still struggling with a thigh injury and only doing running drills in training camp. Plus, 20-year-old Brazilian Wellington has been a bust thus far with just 26 minutes in three Bundesliga games to show for a 5 million euro acquisition.
Change Of System?
The acquisition of a new striker could also bring about a change in Hoffenheim's 4-3-3 system which had Demba Ba and Obasi feeding Ibisevic. A 4-4-2 system with feeders from the outside would give Obasi and Ba the chance to score more with Carlos Eduardo taking over an even bigger role as feeder and playmaker from the midfield. Ba and Obasi both scored 12 goals in the German second league last season.
What About Pressing Defense?
If Rangnick does switch to a 4-4-2 system will he keep in place his very aggressive pressing defense with just two strikers? One problem a four-man midfield could solve is deciding between Tobias Weis and Sejad Salihovic. The latter had been complaining about the lack of playing time and a four-man middle would leave room for both players.
Hoffenheim Facing Big Test
This is the first true test that Hoffenheim have to conquer this season - their first in the Bundesliga. The club's player scouting has been outstanding in many years over the past three years. But this move, made under plenty of pressure and scrutiny, could decide if the club from the province is really a major player in Germany.
